Tobacco product



Patented Oct. 6, 1942 No Drawing. Application November 19, 1940,

' Serial No. 366,300 I '4 Claims". (o1. 131-17) This invention relatesto a tobacco product which can be made by the process forming thesubject matter of my U. S. Patent 2,207,644, dated July 9, 1940.

Heretofore, in the production of tobaccofor use in cigarettes and pipes,it has been the practice generally to mix a percentage of glycerin withthe tobacco because of its hygroscopic properties.

Glycerin, however, when used in this manner, causes throat irritationsdue to the fact that when the mixture is burned it is oxidized to'acrylic aldehyde which is not only highly irritable to the membranes ofthe nose and throat but also affects the digestive organs and invariablyproduces what is known as "smokers sore throat,

While the foregoing disadvantages have long been recognized and manyefforts have been made to overcome them, nevertheless no eflicientsubstitute for the glycerin has been found prior to my discovery thereofand the use of glycerin has therefore necessarily continued.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tobacco product fromwhich glycerin has been eliminated without, however, reducing thehygroscopic property of the product. i

A further object is to substitute for glycerin in a tobacco product ahygroscopic agent which, instead of producing the ill effects hereinrecited, will act to sooth and, in a sense, lubricate the tissuescontacted by the smoke.

A further object is to employ in connection with the tobacco an extractof Panaa: schinseng, commonly known as ginseng.

It has been found that an extract of ginseng, when mixed with tobacco,not only removes irritation and other ill effects due to the burning ofglycerin, but also provides the desired hygroscopic action. Thesedesirable properties are'due to the fact that the extract containsvolatile oil, resin, panacin, panquilon, sugar and other ingredients allof which tend, when burned with tobacco, to produce an oily,non-irritating smoke having a softening, soothing and assuaging effectupon the mucous membranes contacted thereby.

The use of this agent in connection with the a tobacco also results in adistinctive flavor.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists inthoroughly mixing with the following characteristics:

Per cent Free nicotine 2.75 Ammonia in tobacco 0.488 Nitrate nitrogen0.0722 Cyanogenetic. glucosides 0.0055 Pyridine homologones in smoke0.136 Carbon monoxide in smoke- 0.126 Nicotine in smoke 0.011 Ammonia insmoke Trace Ash 14.60

lected ginseng root in 2,000 c. c. hydroalcoholic solution (water 1,alcohol 2) left for 48 hours at room temperature. Thereafter the mixtureis strained and the resultant fluid sprayed upon the tobacco. Excellentresults have been obtained where c. c. of the liquid is sprayed on 3lbs. of flavored tobacco. Thereafter the product is dried in a vacuum at104 F.

Tests of the foregoing product have disclosed pH. value, hydrogenelectrode, type K 6.52

By substituting ginseng for glycerin with tobacco, it has been foundthat it blends the sweet panaquilon and gum with the nicotine andpyridine series. It is then hydrolyzed on contact with the saliva whensmoking, forming a mu cilage strongly demulcent which acts to coat themucous membranes and results in a mild, sweet smoke without irritationand with a pleasing aroma and taste. I

In preparing the tobacco product it is to be understood that thepercentage of ginseng extract and the strength thereof can be varied tomeet varying conditions.

What is claimed is:

1. A smoking mixture including tobacco and a hygroscopic agent in theform of extract of ginseng applied to portions of the tobacco.

2. A product for use by smokers including a mixture of tobacco and anagent adapted to hydrolyze on contact with saliva of a smoker to form amucilage strongly demulcent for coating the mucous membranes of thesmoker, said agent being in the form of an extract of ginseng.

-3. A product of the class described for use as a demulcent andstimulant and possessing hygroscopic and mucilaginous properties,including tobacco treated with extract of ginseng.

4. A smoking mixture including tobacco impregnated with extract ofginseng.

ROGER LAWSON SWAIN.

